Measurement in Depression: Positive Psychology and the Statistical Bipolarity of Depression and Happiness

The article by Santor, Gregus, and Welch (this issue) raises a number of issues about the conceptualization and measurement of depression, and it is a welcome addition to the literature. As Santor et al. emphasize, there is a need to establish a more standardized measurement of depression to provide a common language with which to facilitate communication between researchers. But this is difficult because as yet there is no single agreed-on conceptualization of depression. In recent years, however, the debate over the conceptualization of depression has taken a new turn with the advent of the positive psychology perspective. The positive psychology perspective raises questions about the conception of psychopathology. In contrast to an illness ideology, positive psychology suggests a reconceptualization of depression and happiness as opposite poles of one dimension. The implications of this reconceptualization of the measurement of depression are the focus of this commentary.